Golf: CF, SJ qualify in 5A; MB, NMB finish 2-3 in 4A

The St. James girls golf team was runner-up at Monday’s Class 5A Lower State Tournament, and two Carolina Forest players tied for third individually to lead the Lady Panthers to a share of fourth place and a berth in next week’s SCHSL State Championships at the Columbia Country Club.

Carolina Forest eight-grader Mia Gray and Victoria Callahan shot identical rounds of 74 to lead the Panthers to a team total of 340, tying state power Chapin. Teammates Alayna Fortenberry (82) and Riley Hunter (110) rounded out Carolina Forest’s foursome.

St. James (322) was 20 shots behind rival Lexington (302), a big gap to make up if the Lady Sharks hope to extend their streak of state titles to four straight. The previous state championships came at the 4A level. This is their first year in Class 5A.

It was also a banner day for Conway (396), which failed to qualify for state as a team but managed to send two individuals – Taylor Reaves (78) and Lora Ledbetter (82) – for the first time in school history. They will compete in next week’s state tournament at the Mid-Carolina Country Club in Columbia.

Molly Hardwick of Lexington was medalist, shooting the only under par round for the day (67).

Class 4A

The Myrtle Beach High girls golf team narrowly missed out on a Class 4A Lower State championship Monday at Barony Golf Club in Hilton Head Island.